Boston Marathon Weekend: Events & Expo

Boston Marathon weekend is in full swing in Boston, with the 130th race set for Monday, April 20, after three days of expos and fan events. (baa.org) The Boston Athletic Association says 32,494 participants are entered for the 2026 race, with about 30,000 expected to start and runners coming from 137 countries and all 50 states. (baa.org) The biggest public event before race day is the free Boston Marathon Expo at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, open Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 19, at 900 Boylston Street. The expo includes bib pickup for runners, sponsor booths, an adidas store, and stage programming. (baa.org) City Hall Plaza is hosting the free Boston Marathon Fan Fest from Friday, April 17, through Sunday, April 19, with appearances by past champions, live music, activities, food vendors, and the Samuel Adams Run Pub. The City of Boston said this is the third year Fan Fest has been held there. (baa.org, boston.gov) Saturday, April 18, brought the weekend’s other races into Back Bay: the Boston 5K, the B.A.A. Invitational Mile, and the Youth Mile. The B.A.A. said the 5K alone drew nearly 10,000 participants and finished on Boylston Street at the marathon finish line. (baa.org, wcvb.com) The weekend also runs through One Boston Day, the city’s annual observance tied to April 15, 2013. Boston.gov says the day recognizes the “resiliency, generosity, and strength” shown after the marathon bombing and includes volunteer events, donations, and acts of kindness. (boston.gov) Race day starts in Hopkinton early Monday, April 20. Published schedules list military marchers at 6 a.m., wheelchair divisions at 9:06 a.m. and 9:09 a.m., handcycle and duo athletes at 9:30 a.m., professional men at 9:37 a.m., professional women at 9:47 a.m., para athletics at 9:50 a.m., and the final mass-participation wave at 11:15 a.m. (letsrun.com, wcvb.com) The finish area is again centered on Boylston Street in Copley Square and Back Bay, where crews began painting course markings this week in Hopkinton and Boston. WCVB reported the starting line work began Wednesday, with finish-line work following Thursday. (wcvb.com) City officials said public safety planning includes uniformed and plainclothes officers along the route and in the crowds, plus rules barring spectators from bringing large bags, drones, alcohol, and marijuana onto the course area. Commissioner Michael Cox said only credentialed runners and staff are allowed on the route. (boston.gov) By Monday afternoon, the weekend that starts at the Hynes and City Hall Plaza will narrow to one turn onto Boylston Street, where Boston’s oldest sporting tradition reaches its finish line. (meetboston.com, baa.org)